New garbage commissioner in Bangalore

Garbage contractors were not allowed to dump waste generated in landfills.

Karnataka government has decided to appoint a top IAS officer as the Special Commissioner in the city.

To counter the mess in the garbage disposal system in Bangalore, the Karnataka government has decided to appoint a top IAS officer as the Special Commissioner in the city corporation, exclusively responsible for solid waste management.

The garbage disposal problem in Bangalore re-emerged two weeks ago, after residents of the Mandur village on the outskirts of the city refused to allow garbage contractors into the village to dump waste generated in Bangalore in landfills located around the village.

A nearly two week stand-off with the residents of the Mandur village ended last week with the protesting residents accepting chief minister, Siddaramaiah’s personal assurance to end garbage dumping in the village in five months time.

On Wednesday, the government announced the appointment of IAS officer, Darpan Jain as special commissioner in charge of solid waste management in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike with immediate effect with the express intent of solving the garbage crisis in Bangalore.

Jain’s services have been put at the disposal of the Urban Development Department in the newly created post of Special Commissioner (solid waste management) in the BBMP. He will also hold concurrent charge as the managing director of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC).

Over the last three weeks garbage contractors have been dumping garbage in the Mandur village landfill under protection by the police. A meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah and residents of the Mandur village to resolve the issue had initially failed but the problem was resolved after the chief minister promised that dumping will stop in five months time.

Among the measures the government has promised to the residents of Mandur village while carrying on with the garbage dumping is regular health check-ups, drinking water supply and frequent visits by the local MLA, the Mayor and officials to address grievances in the village. The village has also been offered supplies of mosquito repellents and a compensation package.

Around 5000 tonnes of waste is generated every day in Bangalore of which 2000 tonnes get sent to Mandur. The BBMP is in the process of setting up three waste disposal plants around Bangalore and are hoping to complete them in the next few months to put an end to the practice of using landfills.